Broccoli bunching machine



JW@ 29, 1954 R. M. MAGNusoN ETAL 2,682,288

BROCCOLI BUNCHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheer?I 1 Filed sept. 4, 1948 @www Mv June 29, 1954 R. M. MAGNUSON ETAL 2,682,288

BRoccoL BUNCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1948 6 SheetsSheet 2 IN VEN TOR5 ,Par M, Awww/50N BY a/r I. awa/@Pry June 29, 1954 R. M. MAGNUsoN ET AL 2,682,288

BRoccoLI BUNCHING MACHINE Filed sept. 4, 1948 e sheets-sheet :s

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 4, 1948 June 29, l954 R. M. MAGNUSON ETAL 2,682,288

BRoccoLI BUNCHING MACHINE Filed Sept, 4, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 29, 1954 R. M. MAGNUSON Erl-AL 2,682,283

BRoccoLI BUNCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ffa/2 f I TT rml /ii l /1/ 4 A gl k y /J\ \i m o Cfo O Y w Y "Z /4 /59 XW ez f J Ffa/4 gi //z INVENTOR Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BROCCOLI BUNCHING MACHINE Roy M. Magnuson, Campbell, and Ralph K. Daugherty, San Jose, Calif., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Stephen DArrigo Application September 4, 1948, Serial No. 47,856

(Cl. 14S- 82) 17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for bunching vegetable articles such as broccoli and the like, and is concerned more particularly with an automatic mechanism for receiving successive bunches of broccoli and forming each bunch into a compact bundle, applying a tie to each bundle, and cutting off the butt ends of each bundle so that the bundles of broccoli are discharged from the machine ready for packing for the market.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an automatic machine for bunching broccoli and similar vegetable articles.

A further general object of the invention is to provide an improved' method of packing vegetable articles, such as broccoli, for the market.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having a pocket for receiving a bunch of broccoli and for compacting the bunch for application of a tie thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pocket for compacting and forming a bunch of broccoli.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character in which the broccoli is rst loosely formed as a bunch and then is further compacted for the application of a tie to the bunch.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for tying the broccoli in bunches after the bunches have been formed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the machine showing the broccoli bunching pockets in their active positions.

Figure 3 is an end elevational View of the machine illustrating the drive.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the machine illustrating the drive and the saw for cutting ofl the butt ends of the broccoli.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one pocket of the 'bunching machine illustrating it in position to receive a bunch of broccoli.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through one pocket of the machine illustrating its construction and support.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line l-'l in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational View of the center bracket of a pocket.

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the automatic tie applying mechanism of the machine.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line Ill- I0 in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the tie applying mechanism taken as indicated by the line |I-ll in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional View of the tie applying mechanism taken as indicated by the line |2-l2 in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line |3-I3 in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the cam controlled rock shaft of the tie applying mechanism.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a broccoli `bunching machine including an endless conveyor I trained about respective driving and idler sprockets Il and i2 and carrying a series of broccoli bunching pockets i3 referred to in greater detail hereinafter. The machine includes a loading zone on the two stretches thereof adjacent the idler sprocket l2 and with respect to which there is a circulating disk-type conveyor I4 of conventional construction on which culled broccoli is placed to circulate in an endless fashion. In this way operators stationed at this conveyor can pick up the broccoli in suitable amounts for bunches and place it in the machine as later described. Ahead of the loading zone, a tie inserting station i5 is provided for placing a tie in each of the pockets I3. In the loading zone the bunches of broccoli are placed in the pockets, and the pockets are closed. The bunches of broccoli are held firmly but somewhat loosely in the pockets i3. From the loading zone the bunches of broccoli travel to a compressing and tying Zone indicated generally at I6 where the pockets have a certain amount of overtravel in closing to compact the bunches and to place them in condition for tying. After this is effected the tied bunches of broccoli have their butt ends trimmed by a saw il, and as they travel around the drive sprocket il the pockets are opened to drop the tied bunches of broccoli on a discharge conveyor i8.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the drive for the machine includes an electric motor 2i which is suitably mounted on a portion of the frame 22 and affords a drive through a change speed reducing drive connection 23 and a bevel drive 24 to a vertical shaft 26 on which the drive sprocket H is mounted.

The conveyor I0 (Figure 2, 5 and 6) comprises a chain having links 3| provided with rollers 32 at the joints thereof for engagement with the respective driving and idler sprockets II and I2 and each link of the chain provides a support for a bunching pocket I3. As seen in Figure 6, the lower link 3| of a pair carries an angle bracket 33 on which a pair of guide rollers 34 are journalled to travel in a track 36 on the frame for guiding and support of the conveyor and the pockets thereon. There is a track 35 at each side of the machine along the stretches of the chain which are unsupported by the sprockets II and I2. Each link 3| also has secured thereto a vertical support plate 31 of the associated pocket I3. The upper edge of the plate 31 of each pocket is received in a track 38 at each of the two parallel stretches of the `machine in the same fashion as the lower track 3G.

As previously stated, the conveyor I provides a support for a series of clamping or bunching pockets, each of which has its jaws spring-held in open or closed condition and capable of overtravel in closing. As each pocket is of the same construction, only one will be described in detail. The upport plate 31 of the pocket is provided with an aperture above the conveyor I3 in which a mounting and support sleeve 4I is secured by means of a clamping nut 42. The sleeve 4I is slotted at its inner projecting end at each side to reecive a guide pin 43 for the mounting sleeve or tube 44 of the pocket, so that the pocket is held against rotation with respect to the sleeve 4| but is capable of endvrise movement with respect thereto.

The mounting sleeve 44 is provided with a depending boss 46 (Figure 6) in which a control roller 41 is journalled for cooperation with certain control cam tracks on the machine, as hereinafter described, to control the open and closed conditions of a pocket, both for overtravel of the pocket in clamping the bunch of broccoli in the pocket for tying, and for opening of the pocket for discharge of the bunched broccoli.

The pocket construction per se comprises a pair of complementary arcuate spring jaws or pocket forming clamps I and 52 (Figures 5, 6 and 8) each of which comprises a vertically spaced pair of arcuate spring Wires pivoted about vertical pins 53 on the central support bracket 54 therefor, and forming a toggle linkage therewith. Each jaw has upper and lower wires tied together by a clamp 5E (Figure '1) which carries a depending finger 51 for a purpose later described. The respective upper and lower Wires of each jaw are also connected by a bracekt 53 in which a longitudinal spring control arm or wire 59 has its bent end 59a pivoted. The other ends of the spring control arms 59 (Figure 5) extends through guide blocks 6| carried by the cooperating plate 31 and are secured therein by set screws 62, It will be noted that relative inward and outward movement of the center bracket 54 relative to the pivots provided by the bent ends 53a of the arms controls the open or closed condition of a pocket. Also when a pocket is open, the arms 59 are under tension for subsequent snap action closing.

The bracket 54 of each pocket is substantially T-shaped and has a boss 54a (Figure 6) in alignment with the mounting sleeve 44 therefor and threaded to receive a support rod 66 which is secured thereto by a clamping nut 61. A depending tie mounting bracket 68 is yprovided on each pocket and is secured between the boss 54a'l and the nut 61 for support of a tie 69, as later described. rlhe clamping `nut 51 `abuts .an annular 4 nut 1E) threaded Within the sleeve 44 which also forms an abutment for a spring 1I compressed between the nut 10 and the head 55a of the support rod 6B.

From the above description it will be seen that the respective clamp arms 5| and 52 of the pocket assembly I3, together with their supporting bracket 54, in effect, form a toggle linkage which in the position of the parts shown in Figure 5 has the pivot point 53a closer to the chain than pivot points 53 so that the pocket jaws 5| and 52 are held open to receive a bunch of broccoli, as indicated at 15, held in the hands of an operator. In this position of the parts the tension of the respective springs 5G is such as to hold the pocket open and in a somewhat projected position with reference to the position of a closed pocket as seen more clearly in Figure 2, so that the bunch of broccoli held by the operator can be forced against the center bracket 54 of the pocket to cause the pocket center to travel back from the position shoWn in Figure 5. At this time the spring arms 59 become effective to close the pocket iingers 5I and 52 about the bunch of broccoli so that it Will be held firmly but loosely as a bunch.

Also, the spring clip 68a (Figure 8) associated with the depending center bracket 58 providese a support for the tie 69 whose ends are engaged by the respective depending fingers 51 as the pocket closes to form the tie about the bunch to the position shown at the center pocket in Figure 2 Where it can easily be grasped by an operator for tying at the appropriate time.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the roller 41 of an open pocket is outwardly disposed with respect to the conveyor Il) as compared with the roller 41 of a closed pocket, and this movement of the pocket in closing is utilized to place this roller in operative relation with the overtravel cam track 8| (Figure 2). As a roller 41 engages the curved end of the cam track 8| and is moved inwardly thereby, the sleeve 44 is caused to move inwardly placing a pressure against the spring 1| and through it a spring pressure is applied to the center bracket 54. This force causes the pocket to travel inwardly under spring load so that the clamping jaws 5I and 52 are further compressed about the broccoli held therein and k form it into a suitable compact bunch for tying. While the parts are thus conditioned, the operator grasps the projecting ends of the tie for the bunch and twists them as indicated at the lefthand pocket in Figure 2, so that the bunch is secured.

While a bunch is held in this compacted position by the clamping jaws 5| and 52, the butt ends thereof engage the saw I1 which is suitably driven through a pulley and belt drive 32 (Figure 3) from a motor 83 so that the butt ends of the bunch are trimmed to an even length. Subsequently, the roller 41 leaves the cam tracks 8| and engages an inner cam track 84 (Figure 1) which is disposed about sprocket II and inclines outwardly so tha-t the pocket is opened, being restored to the position shown in Figure 5, and the bunch of broccoli is dropped on the discharge conveyor I8.

There is illustrated in Figures 9 through 14 the tie feed mechanism which operates to place the ties successively in the pockets I3 as they continuously move past the tie feeding station I5. This tie feeding mechanism includes a pair of stationary tie support rods IUI (Figures 9 and l1) which are formed of parallel wires supported on a frame extension |02 at one end and on a crosspiece |020, adjacent the other. Rods are formed to provide an initial feed station |03 in which a tie is placed manually and an intermediate feed station |04 at the plates |I5 to which the tie is moved automatically for pick-up and feeding to the cooperating pocket. Associated with the support rods IOI in the primary feed of a tie Si), there is a pair of parallelfeed arms formed sector-shaped of wire and mounted on a support shaft |05. The shaft Hit` carries a depending arm I01 which is connected by a link |08 to the lower end of a bell crank arm |00 pivoted at III on the frame extension |02. The arm |09 is connected by an adjustable link II2 with an arm |I3 (Figures 11 and 14) secured on a cam controlled rock shaft II4 suitably journalled on the frame and referred to later. The arcuate extension of the feed arms |05 allow feeding of a tie on the rods IOI while the preceding tie 59 is being advanced to the station |04 or during return of the arms |05.

A tie 60 at the intermediate or second feed station |04 (Figures 9 and 11) is in position for pick-11D by a second pair of feed arms II5 for advance up the arcuate guide plates IIli. The

feed arms II5 are also formed sector-shaped to allow feed of a tie wire to the station |04 while they are advanced and are carried by respective pivot pins |11 on the plates I I5. Each of the arms I I5 is connected by a link I |18 with a lever I I0secured on a countershaft IZI. A spring |22 connected between the links I I8 and a collar |23 serves to urge the parts to the position shown in Figure 9. One of the levers I I9 (Figures 9 and 10) is connected by spring loaded telescoping link |26 of a type later described to the lower end of a rock arm (Figures 11 and 14) keyed to the rook shaft II4. The rock shaft ||4 also carries an upright arm I3I adjustably keyed thereon for movement along the shaft and the arm I3! carries a cam |32 for engagement by the rollers 32 of the conveyor I0. In this fashion the arm I3I and consequently the tie feeders |05 and II5 are reciprocated once for each pocket of the machine as it travels past the tie feeding station. The cam |32 (Figure l1) includes an initial slow rise portion |32a, an abrupt rise |32b, a fiat dwell portion I32c, and a return portion |32d to controlthe motion of the feeder arms |05 and II5.

After a tie 50 has been transferred from the feed station |03 to the station |04, as illustrated in Figure 9, it is carried up the pair of arcuate plates I5 past a pair of bending and turning ngers |33 and into engagement with a pair of offset stop ears |34 (Figures 9, 11 and 12) formed integrally with the plates I6, together with forwardly projecting bending ngers |36 secured on the plates I I6.

It will be seen that as the feed arms II5 move the tie 00 abruptly into engagement with the stop plates |34 under the influence of the rise |321) and past the forming fingers |30, the tie will be bent substantially as shown in Figure 11 to conform to the general shape of the pocket and to provide projecting end portions in coopera tion with the pocket which lies inside of the ngers 51 thereon. The ties are open sufficiently for placing of the bunch of broccoli therein as shown in Figure 5. 'I'he tie is held in the nal feed station for an interval determined by the dwell portiOIl |320 of the cam.

Associated with the final feed station formed byithe stops |34 is a vertically reciprocating feed including a pair of parallel feed fingers |41' (Fi'g'- ures 12 and 13) which are notched at their upper ends to provide a tie receiving opening which is tapered at the top and has a lower straight portion |4Ia. The fingers I4| are carried by a cross plate |42 mounted at the upper end of a rod |43 suitably guided upon the frame of the machine and having at its lower end the collar |23 forming an abutment for a spring |46 which engages at its other end a stationary boss |41 on the mounting bracket |48. Thus the rod |43 and the fingers I4| are spring retracted to the position shown in which the cross plate |42 is against the resilient stop |40 on the bracket |40.

For operation of this vertical feed the rod |43 carries a transverse bar I5I pinned thereon and connected at its end by a pair of links |52 with respective opposite levers |53 (Figure 9) extending from a sleeve |54 pivoted on the transverse shaft IZI. One of the levers |53 is formed as a bell crank lever and is connected by a spring loaded link |51 with a depending arm |58 from a rock shaft |50 on which a roller-shaped cam |5| is keyed for adjustment therealong. The link includes a sleeve |51 and a rod |510l which are maintained expanded by a spring I51b. The cam ISI is positioned by the conveyor rollers 32 so that at the proper time the ngers I4! are projected upwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figures l2 and 13 to move the tie into engagement between the spring clip 58a and the s upporting bracket 68 therefor. This movement occurs during the dwell I32c on the cam |32 for the feed arms I I5.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: As the open pockets I3 (Figure 1) pass the tie feeding station I5 a tie wire which is formed generally U-shape during its feed, is fed into engagement with the spring clip 50ct of each pocket, with its bent end portions disposed within the tie forming members 51 on the jaws of the pocket. After the tie feeding station, the pockets pass above an initial stretch of the circulating conveyor I4, i. e., the upper stretch as viewed in Figure 1, and culled broccoli is placed on this stretch of the circulating conveyor I4. The operators for feeding the bunches of broccoli into the pockets are situated along the other stretch of the conveyor I4 and they select an appropriate number of pieces of broccoli to form a bunch. Grasping the broccoli in their hands, as illustrated in Figure 5, they impact the center member 54 of the pocket with the broccoli, so that the toggle linkage is carried from one side of center', in which it is open, to the other side of center in which it is closed. This condition of the pockets I 3 is illustrated schematically immediately to the left of the circulating conveyor I4 in Figure l and also in Figure 2. As the pockets close, the tie forming members 51 thereon carry the tie wire S9 around the broccoli so that its ends are exposed adjacent each other and preferablycrossed for tying. v

When the pockets approach the cam track 8|, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pockets are given an overtravel in closing movement to compact the bunch of broccoli held therein sufficiently for packing purposes and for tying of the tie wire, as illustrated at the extreme left of Figure 2. While each pocket is under control of the overtravel cam track 8|, the butt' ends of the broccoli are carried into engagement with the saw` |1 so that they are trimmed to an even length.. Subseduentla the roller. of. each.

pocket engages the release cam track 84 and the tied and trimmed bunches of broccoli drop onto the discharge conveyor I8.

The above described apparatus is used in carrying out a new method of packing broccoli and similar vegetables. In prior practice individual workers sorted, trimmed and graded broccoli and then also performed the bunching, tying and butt trimming operations. In other words, each worker performed all of the steps in packing the broccoli. In accordance with the instant invention, the grading, sorting and trimming operations are performed by a number of workers who place the culled and graded broccoli on the appropriate circulating conveyor so that it is moved along a` path. Other workers are stationed along a portion of the path of movement of the broccoli which coincides with a portion of the path of the bunching pockets and these workers, by placing bunches of broccoli in the pockets, establish a le of bunches moving along a bunching path for compacting, tying, butt trimming and discharge, as previously described in connection with the apparatus.

The above new method of broccoli packing enables specialization by each worker in his particular job, so that greater skill is attained and greater overall production also attained.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be used with other vegetable products where packing in bunches is desired.

While we have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention can be embodied in other forms, and its scope therefore should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

l. In a vegetable bunching machine, a series of vegetable receiving pockets mounted for movement along a closed path, each of said pockets including gripping means movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably and of itself maintaining both positions, slidable mounting means for each pocket, each pocket being slidable with respect to its mounting means, and means mounted on said machine adjacent said path for controlling movement of said grip-- ping means between its open and closed positions and for sliding each pocket after closing along its mounting means to compress the bundle.

2. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of pockets thereon, each of said pockets including a pair of gripping jaws formf ing a toggle linkage for movement between open and closed positions, each of said pockets also including spring means for maintaining said jaws in either open or closed positions, means operable entirely outside of the gripping space of said jaws of each pair connecting them and being responsive to impact of a bunch of vegetables therewith for initial closing movement, means operable therewith through the movement of the conveyor for effecting over-travel of said jaws in the direction of closing movement to effect compacting of a bunch of vegetables held therein, means for trimming the butt ends of vegetables held in said jaws while in compacted position, and means for opening said jaws.

3. In a vegetable bunching machine, a pocket structure including a tubular mounted element, a pocket sleeve mounted for sliding movement relative to said element, a pocket member slidably mounted on said sleeve and spring held in position with respect thereto, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said pocket member about parallel axes and forming a toggle linkage therewith, spring means for each of said jaws for maintaining both open and closed positions thereof according to the positions of the pivots, means for sliding said pocket member and sleeve unitarily and means for effecting relative sliding movement between said pocket member and said sleeve to effect overtravel of said jaws in closing.

4. In a vegetable bunching machine, a pocket structure including a tubular mounting element, a pocket sleeve mounted for sliding movement relative to said element, a pocket member slidably mounted on said sleeve and spring held in position with respect thereto, a pair of arcuate jaws pivotally mounted on said pocket member about parallel axes and forming a toggle linkage therewith, a spring arm on each of said jaws connected to the pocket structure at one end and to an intermediate portion of the associate jaw at the other, said spring arms being biased to urge said jaws together and the points of connection thereof to said jaws being approximately aligned with the points of pivotal connection of said jaws to said pocket member in the straight position of said toggle linkage and being relatively displaced with respect thereto in the open and closed positions of said pocket, means for sliding said pocket member and sleeve unitarily and means for effecting relative sliding movement between said pocket member and said sleeve to effect overtravel of said jaws in closing.

5. In a vegetable bunching machine, a pocket structure including a tubular mounting element, a pocket sleeve mounted for sliding movement relative to said element, a pocket member slidably mounted on said sleeve and spring held in position with respect thereto, a pair of jaws pvotally mounted on said pocket member about parallel axes and forming a toggle linkage therewith, spring means for maintaining both open and closed positions of said jaws, means for sliding said pocket member and sleeve unitarily, and mea-ns for effecting relative movement between said pocket member and said sleeve to effect overtravel closing movement of said jaws.

6. In a vegetable bunching machine, a pocket structure including a tubular mounting element, a pocket sleeve mounted for sliding movement relative to said element, a pocket member mounted on said sleeve and spring held in position with respect thereto, a pair of arcuate jaws pivotally mounted on said pocket member about parallel axes and forming a toggle linkage therewith, spring means for each of said jaws for maintaining the open or closed position thereof, means for effecting relative movement between said pocket member and said sleeve to effect overtravel of said jaws in closing, said pocket member having a tie supporting element mounted thereon for releasably supporting a tie, and each of said jaws having a tie guiding member mounted thereon for engaging a tie held by said tie supporting element during closing movement of the jaws and for wrapping said tie around the bunch of vegetables grasped in the jaws.

7. In a vegetable bunching machine, a pocket structure including a tubular mounting element, a pocket sleeve mounted for sliding movement relative to said element, a pocket member mounted on said sleeve, a pair of arcuate jaws pivotally mounted on said pocket member about parallel axes forming a toggle linkage therewith, spring means for each of said jaws for maintaining the open or closed position thereof, said pocket member having a tie supporting element mounted thereon for releasably supporting a tie, and each of said jaws `having a tie guiding member mounted thereon for engaging a tie held by said tie supporting element during closing movement of the jaws and for wrapping said tie around the bunch of vegetables grasped in the jaws.

8. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of pockets thereon, each pocket having a tie receiving element, a tie feeding station including means for receiving a tie of linear shape, for forming the tie to a generally U-shape, and for delivering the tie into alignment with a pocket, and a feeder for picking up a formed tie and delivering it to the tie receiving element of an aligned pocket.

9. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of pockets thereon, each pocket having a tie receiving element, means for effecting continuous travel of said conveyor, a tie feeding station including means for receiving a tie of linear shape, for forming the tie to a generally U-shape and for delivering the tie into alignment with a pocket, and a feeder for picking up a formed tie and delivering it to the tie receiving element of an aligned pocket during travel of the pocket thereby.

10. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of vegetable receiving pockets, each of said pockets including a pair of resilient toggle-connected gripping jaws movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably and of itself maintaining both positions, and means mounted on said machine adjacent said conveyor for controlling movement of said jaws between their open and closed positions through the movement of the conveyor.

11. In a rvegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of vegetable receiving pockets, each of said pockets including a pair of resilient arcuate gripping jaws movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably and of itself maintaining both positions, and means mounted on said machine adjacent said conveyor for controlling the movement of said jaws between their open and closed positions through the movement of the conveyor.

12. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of vegetable receiving pockets, each of said pockets including a pair of resilient toggle-connected gripping jaws movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably and of itself maintaining both positions, an element carried by each of said pockets for controlling movement of said gripping jaws, means mounted on said machine adjacent said conveyor for controlling movement of said jaws by engaging said element as the conveyor moves, said element being positioned in the open position of a pair of jaws to pass said movement controlling means.

13. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of vegetable receiving pockets, each of said pockets includinga pair of resilient arcuate gripping `jaws movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably and of itself maintaining both positions, an element carried by each of said pockets for ccntrolling movement of said gripping jaws, means i10 mounted on said machine adjacent said conveyor for controlling movement of said jaws by engaging said element as the conveyor moves, said element being positioned in the open position of a pair of jaws to pass said movement controlling means.

14. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of vegetable receiving pockets, each of said pockets including a pair of resilient toggle-connected gripping jaws movable between open and closed positions to receive a bunch of vegetables and also including means for yieldably maintaining said positions, an element carried by each of said pockets for controlling movement of said gripping jaws, and means mounted on said machine adjacent said conveyor for controlling movement of said jaws by engaging said element, said element being positioned in the open position of a pair of jaws to pass said movement controlling means, and being positioned when tripped by engagement of a bunch of vegetables with the pair of said gripping jaws to engage said movement controlling means, said movement controlling means being positioned to eiect an overtravel closing movement of said jaws, thereafter to hold said jaws closed, and thereafter to eiect opening movement of said jaws.

15. In a bunching machine having a conveyor, a mounting member carried thereby and slidable laterally with respect thereto, jaw means carried by said mounting member operable through impact engagement of a bunch of material thereagainst to clasp the latter, said jaw means including a part slidably carried by said mounting member, means operable through travel of the conveyor to slide said mounting member relative to said jaw means, and spring mechanism coacting with said jaw means and mounting member tensioned through the latter sliding movement operable to compress said jaw means supsequent to clasping of the bunch to facilitate tying thereof.

16. In a bunching machine having a conveyor,

Y a mounting member carried thereby and slidable laterally with respect thereto, bracket means, a spring at its opposite ends coacting with said bracket means and said mounting member to normally urge contact thereof with each other, jaws pivoted to said bracket means, spring arms extending from said conveyor on opposite sides of said mounting member and pivoted one to cach jaw, the pivots of said spring arms in the open position of said jaws being closer to the conveyor than the first-mentioned pivotal connection, said bracket means being engageable by a bunch of material to slide said bracket means and mounting member jointly toward the conveyor against the tension of said spring arms to disturb the relation of said pivots and connection to snap said jaws around said bunch, and means engageable by said mounting member through travel of the conveyor to slide said mounting member closer to the conveyor and relative to said bracket means whereby said spring will be tensioned and will move said bracket means inwardly toward the conveyor to further compress the bunch.

17. In a vegetable bunching machine, a conveyor having a series of pockets thereon, each of said pockets including a pair of gripping jaws forming a toggle linkage for movement between open and closed positions, each of said pockets also including spring means for maintaining said jaws in both open and closed positions, said jaws References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Jincks Oct. 5, 1875 Number Number l2 Name 'Date Mueller Muy 29, .1906 Jones Dec. 4, 1917 Pease Aug. V7, 1923 DArrigo Nov. 18, 1941 Del Carlo Mar. '28, 1950 Sutton Apr. 11., 1950 

